Wainwright Bagging Weekend in the Lake District

There are lots of ways to identify groups of hills the most well known being the "Munros", which are the highest hills in Scotland and the most recent being the "Ethels" which are all the hills with a certain level of prominence in the Peak District. There are also Hewitts, Nesbitts and Marilyns to name but a few. Bagging hills of a particular designation can give your walking an even bigger sense of purpose.

Alfred Wainwright was a prolific writer and walker (and Accountant) who fell in love with the Lakeland Fells on a visit in 1930 and from then on made them very much his own. His seven-volume Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, published between 1955 and 1966 remains the standard reference work to 214 of the fells of the English Lake District. He also created the Cumbria Coast to Coast long distance path amongst other achievements. His designation of what has become known as the Wainwrights was purely based on hills in the Lakeland Fells that he admired and thought worth visiting and writing about. This includes all the obvious ones but many less challenging ones as well so something here for everyone.

Our aim over a couple of years is to bag as many of those 214 Wainwrights as we possibly can and this is our first weekend with that agenda.

FRIDAY for those than can make it, we have a Wainwright bagging bonus walk for where we'll meet on the Eastern shore of Derwent Water around 10:30am. Just 6 low hanging fruit with the highest only just above 600m.

SATURDAY we walk straight from the hostel and plan to have two Wainwright baggers the toughest being still less than 10 miles with 7 biggies in our sights.

SUNDAY we again have at least two route options in mind the main going from Buttermere to Cat Bells and bagging 6 gorgeous Wainwrights on the way. A shorter option is also available.

MONDAY for those that can stay over in Ambleside (arrange yourselves at the YHA or elsewhere) we plan an optional extension to bag another EIGHT Wainwrights by tacking the very lovely Fairfield Horseshoe. We shall also open this up to other group members who want to join in.

All food is provided from Friday dinner to packed lunch on Sunday but we have no staff as such so help is needed with preparation and clearing up on a voluntary basis. We do cater for most dietary requirements and preferences but please ask if unsure. All main meals are included but we don't normally provide biscuits, cakes or desserts so if you want to bring some of these to share that would be lovely. Yes, we do stay up late, play board games and card games and may even have a bit of music and dancing if that's what people want so if you are a sensitive sleeper ear plugs are a good idea.

The cost is paid as a non-returnable deposit of £20 payable when you book, to which must be added Meetup booking fees. The balance of £69 will be payable by BACS 12 weeks prior to the event being 24th May 2024.

Account Code: 40848442
Sort Code: 56-00-61
Account Name: Peak Activities & Leisure Limited

Balance reminders will be sent.

The deposit cost will rise by a further £10 when the first 20 bookings have been made.

If you have to cancel with more than 28 clear days notice your full balance payment will be refunded. No refunds will be provided to those cancelling with less than 28 clear days notice. ("clear" means does not include event start date or cancellation date!

Please address any questions about the weekend directly to gordon@peakmeetupgroup.com or via Meetup